Fuel-reservoir system



May 11,1926. 1,583,808

P. w. STEPHENS FUEL nzsnnvom syswsu Filed Oct. 19, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 11 1926. 1,583,808

P. W. STEPHENS FUEL RESERVOIR SYSTEM Fil 13- 19, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Rm 2116 W% 706226 azw Patented May 11, 19 26.

UNITED STATES PATENT..()

PERCY w. s'rnrnnns, orcnIcAeo, ILLINoI's.

FUEL-RESERVOIR sxs'rnn.

Application filed October 19, 1925. Serial No. 63,248.

This invention relates to improvements in fuel reserve systems, and more particularly to an attachment for use with fuel tanks of standard construction, and has for its principal object to provide a simple device of the character described, whereby a reserve supply means maybe readily applied to a standard form of fuel outlet.

More specifically, my improved device is particularly designed for use with the supply tank of Ford automobiles, in which the outlet fitting on the tank comprises an L-shaped duct leading downwardly from the bottom of the tank and thence laterally to a threaded coupling, for connection with the fuel supply line- My invention contemplates the provision of a fuel reserve device comprising an auxiliary fitting, which may be attached to the standard form of outlet titting described, without disturbing the correlated parts ofthe machine.

The invention may best be understood by reference tothe accompanying. drawings, in which I Figure 1 is a side view of a standard form of fuel tank and outlet fitting with one form of my improved fuelreserve device applied thereto. I p v Figure "2 is asectional view of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, illustrating the manner ofoperation of the device. I,

I Figure 4- 'is a vert'cal section taken through the outlet fitting of thetank, and illustrating the method of attaching the device thereto. Figures 5 and 6 are longitudinal and transverse sectional views respectively, of a modified form of my invention. 7

Figure 7 is another modified form of my invention shown in longitudinal section.

Figures 8 and 9 are transverse sectional views taken on line A--A of Fig. 7 butshowing the valve means in different posi tions.

Referring to details of construction of the form shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4:, 10 indicates a fuel supply tank having a standard outlet fitting 11 at the bottom and adjacent one side of said tank. Said fitting hasarelatively short vertically disposed passage- 14 communicating with a horizontally dis posed passage 15 having its outer end tapped as at 16 for connection with a coupling for the usual fuel supply line. In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 4 it will be understood that the usual couplingis removed from direct attachment with fitting 11, and my improved device is interposed between said fitting and said coupling, indicated at 17.

Referring now to my improved attachment, the same consists of a body member 20 having threaded end 21 adapted to be screwed in the tapped portion 15 of the outlet fitting 11. Projecting from the threaded end, I provide a piece of tubing 22 so formed that it may be inserted through the passages 15 and 14 of the outlet fitting 11 before the threaded part 21 is connected with said outlet fitting. For this purposethe inner portion 23 of said tube is arranged at anangle of substantially 90 to the main part thereof,

vas shown. The'extreme end of said tube is also preferably formed with a slight lateral bend asindicated at 23, the purposeof which will be subsequently describedu The tube22 extends through a chamberi24 in the body member 20 and has tight fitting engagement at both ends'of said chamber,

although havinglongitudinal and rotational movement relative to said body member. In

the form shown, thetube has a plain fitting bearing at the-inner end of the body member and passes through a gland 25 at the'opposite end of said body member. As herein shown, this gland comprises a cap 26 threads ed into said body member and having a coiled spring 27 extending longitudinally of the tube within the chamber 24, said spring extending into the cap and being normally under tension to retain a packing ring 28, in place.

Means are provided for positively moving the tube 22 comprisinga handle 30 secured at the outer end thereof'in position to be readily manipul'ated'by hand. 'In' the form shown, this handle consists of a knurled button, whereby said tube may be either rotated or moved longitudinally in the body member as required. Said tube is provided with suitable apertures, such as holes 31.31, adjacent the centralportion thereof within the chamber 24, the arrangement being such that the tube has communication through these apertures with the chamber24,;in all permissible positions of said tube when the device-is in operation. The body member fitting.

has a tapped outer end 29 adapted to receive the usual coupling device which ordinarily is connected directly to the standard outlet fitting 11. In practice, this outlet fitting may be of any standard form, as, for in stance, it may comprise either a sediment bulb or filter with a shut-off valve associated therewith, or it may consist of a plain coupling device attached to the upper end of a fuel supply line.

The use and operation of my improve-d device above described is substantially as follows:

When the usual coupling connection is removed from the outlet fitting 11, my device is applied by first inserting the bent end 28 of the tube 22 into the horizontally disposed passage 15 of the outlet fitting and then by twisting or turning the device, said tube may be passed upwardly through the vertically disposed passage 14 into position to project above' the bottom of the supply tank 10. It will be understood, however, that it is not practical to positively engage the threaded portion 21 of my improved attachment with the tapped portion 16 of the outlet fitting until the tube 22 has been fully inserted by the turning or twisting of the entire attach.- ment as just described. Consequently, I provide for longitudinal movement of the tube with respect to the body member 20 so that after the tube is fully inserted, the body member may be slid along the tube into position to engage its thread 21 in the tapped portion 16 of the fitting. The device may then be screwed into the fitting. It will be understood that the tube is maintained against rotation, and has very limited longitudinal movement as it is in place in the outlet fitting 11, but the arrangement of the tube with its movable mounting in the body permits the body to be fully screwed into the After the device is fully coupled to the outlet fitting, the fuel supply line cou pling is connected to the outlet 35 of the device in he usual manner.

In the operation of inserting the device,the

' end 23 of the tube projecting into the tank upper end of said tube.

is usually turned in the direction of screwing' until it is stopped by the side walls of the passage 14. In order to set the apparatus for proper functioning after the device is fully inserted, this tube is rotated by means of the handle 30 in the reverse direction so" that the end portion 23 extends in a generally vertical position, so as to extend considerably above the bottom of the tank 10. In this position, it will be observed that the fuel in the tank can run through the tube and be furnished to the vehicle motor only so long as the fuel level remains above the WVhen the fuel level falls below the upper end of the tube, however, the motor will misfire or stop so as to give warning that the fuel is getting. low.

The operator may then manipulate the handle 30 of the tube by rotating it in a direction to move the inner end of the tube 23 downwardly toward the bottom of the tank. In the form shown, the bent portion 23 of said tube is provided. so that the extreme end of the tube may lie on the bottom of the tank, and the adjacent portions of the tube may be substantially parallel with the bottom ofthe tank, when in lowered position. The remaining fuel in the tank may then flow through the tube, thus forming in effect a reserve supply usually sufficient to permit replenishment before all of the fuel is exhausted.

Figure 5 shows a modified form of my invention in which the parts of the device are the same with the exception that a shutofl' valve 40 is incorporated in the body member itself, this shut-0H member being a simple form of needle valve offset from the chamber 24: and communicating with an outlet 4-1 adapted to be connected directly to the fuel supply line. i

' Another modified form is shown in the Figures 7, 8, and 9, wherein the tube 22 passes through a conically shaped plug member 45 arranged coaxi ally therewithand engaging a valve seat 4-6. Said plug member has two lateral extending ports 47 and 48 adapted for selective communication with an outlet passage 35 formed in the valveseat as shown in details, in Figures 7 and 8. The plug 45 is normallymaintained in engagement with the valve seat by a coil spring 50 which also serves to; keep the packing 28 in place in the gland 25. The usual handle 30 is provided at the outer end of the tube 22 for rotating the same and connection is also made between said tube and the plug member for rotating the plug and in permitting limited longitudinal movement of the tube with respect to the plug as desired. In the form shown this means comprises a pin 51, arranged transversely of the tube 22 and projecting therefrom to move in a longitudinal slot 52 formed in said plug. l

The arrangement is such that the port 47 registers with theaperture 49 when the fuel inlet tube is raised in an uppermost position in the fuel supply tank as shown in Figure 7. In the second position shown in Fig ure 8 neither ports are in registering position with the outlet 49 so that the plug acts as a shut off valve; In the third position shown in Figure 9, the second port 48 communicates with the outlet passage 49 when the inlet end of the tube is in its lowermostposition in the supply tank as indicated in Figure 9. In this specific form therefore it will be observed'that the handle 30 not only controls the longitudinal and sliding movement of the tube, but also controls a shutoff valve within the body member. It will be understood, however, that in some not required on account of the shape of the Outlet fitting to which the device is applied, in which case the plug 4E5 may be mounted rigidly with the tube 22. Although I have shown and described one form in which my invention may be embodied, it will beunderstood that many changes in form and construction will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I do not therefore wish to be understood as limiting myself to the construction shown and described herein, excepting in, so far as specifically defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A reserve liquid control device compris ing a tube having a part extending at an angle to the remainder thereof, a body member surrounding and having a rotatable and liquid tight fit with one of the parts of said tube said body member being provided with an outlet coupling having communication with said tube within said body portion, and

. means for attaching said body member to an angular outlet of a tank with the angled part of said tube projecting thereinto.

2. A reserve liquid control device comprising a tube having a part extending at an angle to the remainder thereof, a body member providing acylindrical liquid tight bearing for one of the parts of said tube on an axis extending longitudinally of the latter and with the angled part of said tube free to rotate at the end of said body member, said body member having an outlet coupling communicating with said tube intermediate its ends, means for attaching said body member to a tank with the angled part of said tube projecting thereinto, and means extending from said body member for manually rotating said tubular member.

3. A reserve liquid control device comprising a tube having a part extending at an angle to the remainder thereof, a body member providing a cylindrical liquid tight bearing for an intermediate part of said tube and with the angled part of said tube free to rotate at the end of said body member, said body member having an outlet coupling communicating with said tube intermediate its ends, means for attaching said body member to a tank with the angled part of said tube projecting therein, said tube extending through said body member and having means at the outer end for rotating the same in said body member.

i. A reserve liquid control device comprising a tube having a part extending at an angle to the remainder thereof, a body member surrounding and having a liquid tight fit with one of the parts of said tube but affording a rotatable and longitudinally slidable movement thereof, and threaded means for attaching said body member to an angular outlet fitting on a tank with the angled part of said tube projectingthrough said fitting and into said tank; I

5. A reserve liquid control device comprising a tube having a part extendingat an angleto the remainder thereof, abody mem ber surrounding and having a liquid tight fit with one of the parts of said tube but afl'orc'ling a rotatable and longitudinally slidable movement thereof, threaded means forattaching said body member to an angularoutlet fitting on a tank with the angled part of said tube projecting through said fitting and into said tank, and means extending from said body member for controlling the movement of said tube.

6. A reserve liquid control device comprising a tube having a part extending at an angle to the remainder thereof, a body mem ber surrounding and having a liquid tight fit with one of the parts of said tube but affording a rotatable and longitudinally slidable movement thereof, threaded means for attaching said body member to an angular outlet fitting on a tank with the angled part of said tube projecting through said fitting and into said tank, said tube extending through said body member and having means on the outer end thereof for controlling the movement thereof.

7. A reserveliquid control device comprising a tube having a part extending at an angle to the remainder thereof, a body member surrounding and having a rotatable and liquid tight fit with one of the parts of said tube, and means for attaching said body member to an L-shaped outlet fitting opening downwardly at the bottom of a tank, the angular part of said tube being bent laterally so that the extreme end thereof will lie along the bottom of the tank when moved to one position therein.

8. A reserve liquid control device comprising a tube having a part extending atan angle to the remainder thereof, a body member surrounding and having a liquid tight fit with one of the parts of said tube, but affording a rotatable and longitudinally slidable movement thereof, and means for attaching said body member to an angular outlet fitting on a tank with the angled part of said tube projecting through said fitting and into said tank.

9. A reserve liquid control device comprising a tube having a part extending at.

an angle to the remainder thereof, a body member surrounding and having rotatable and liquid tight fit with one of the parts of said tube, means for attaching said body member to an angular outlet fitting on a member into a plurality of positions with the inlet end of said tube at different heights and in another position to form a shut ofl valve.

10. A reserve liquid controlled device comprising a tube having a part extending in an angle to the ren'iainder thereof, a body member surrounding and having a liquid tight fit with one of the parts of said tube affording a rotatable longitudinal sliding movement thereof, a valve member rotatably mounted on said tube and having a plurality of ports therein, affording communication from said tube to an outlet in said body member, common means extending from said body member for controlling the movement of said tube in said body mem-' ber and the rotation of said valve member in said body member and means for attaching said body member to an angular fitting on a tank with the angled part of said tube projecting through said fitting and into said tank.

Signed at Chicago, 111., this 14th day of 

